POLOKWANE – The economic spin-offs derived from the planned expansion of the N1 road network around Polokwane will help ensure the four-year long moratorium on new developments in the city remains banished for the foreseeable future.
The moratorium will be lifted later this year.
This good news was recently delivered by the Polokwane mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng during a breakfast meeting with the business sector.
Nkadimeng assured those present that the creation of an environment conducive to economic growth remained one of the priorities of the Polokwane Municipality. Just over four years ago, the city council took a resolution to place a moratorium on new developments until the city’s failing, underdeveloped infrastructure could support it.
Nkadimeng said the roll-out of several projects through public private partnerships was at an advanced stage. She explained that these developments were already approved before the moratorium was put in place.
“These projects include smart metering solutions, a solar plant, and the upgrading of infrastructure such as waterpipes and wastewater treatment plants,” she said.
The successful completion of these projects will ensure the success of other new developments including residential areas, an international convention centre and Motor City, as well as the establishment of an academic hospital and a provincial theatre.
“The future looks bright for us. I am confident that the actualisation of these projects will move the city to a point where the city council will be able to lift the moratorium,” she said. The N1 improvements will include several bridges to ensure smoother traffic flow and pedestrian safety, especially during peak-traffic times such as Easter.
The economic spin-offs will be immense, Nkadimeng foretold.
However, Nkadimeng made it clear to the business people at the breakfast that the municipality expected something in return for what it was doing.
“I want to come to what business can and should do to support the municipality,” she said. “Some of the things the city needs you to do are to pay for services you receive, respect by-laws and processes, especially those on land use and waste management, and become active partners in fighting fraud and corruption,” she explained.
